“This is white male privilege rearing its ugly head from behind the presidential platform–again.”

Friday night, I was troubled by the words of Donald J. Trump. While that is not a novelty, this time was different. It was not the most vile or despicable statement from him by far, but this speech annoyed me a great deal–even for Donald Trump. During a campaign rally for a primary in Alabama, Trump addressed players of the National Football League (NFL) who protest domestic terrorism at the hands of law enforcement by taking a knee during the National Anthem.

Trump rhetorically asked, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b**** off the field right now? He is fired. He’s fired!” On Friday, he called the mother of every NFL player who has the audacity to peacefully protest a nationwide epidemic by the derogatory term for a female dog. I am embarrassed, angry, and fed up with his daily ignorance and constant twitter tirades. This is not locker room talk. This is white male privilege rearing its ugly head from behind the presidential platform–again.

Protesting peacefully is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment. The players’ refusal to traditionally participate in the National Anthem is not disrespecting the country. The actions of these citizens honor the principles that truly do make America Great: Freedom of Assembly, Petition, Press, Religion and Speech.

Furthermore, Trump broke the law when he encouraged owners to fire players: according to Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 11 § 227 of the U.S. Code, wrongfully influencing a private entity’s employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch [is illegal]. This may become an article of impeachment.

Let’s not forget that Trump praised white supremacists in Charlottesville by referring to them as “very fine people,” but the players pleading for justice and equity are “sons of bitches.” Donald Trump’s previous approval of sexual assault in a conversation with Billy Bush in 2005 was quickly and wrongfully dismissed as “locker room” banter. We cannot trivialize Donald Trump’s comments as frivolous or a joke. Comments like this are not only wrong. They are dangerous. Trump’s sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity are a risk to our public safety and humanity. He must be held accountable. Kneeling one day cannot be the end. It must be the catalyst to promote monumental change in America.

When we tried to integrate into society, you lynched us, killed us, burned our towns and falsely imprisoned us.

When we tried to fight for our rights in the court system, you got racist judges, juries and lawyers to dismiss us.

When we tried to fight for our rights through passing laws, you got racist judges to gut and neuter those laws.

When we tried to fight for our rights by electing people, you disenfranchised us.

When we tried to fight for equal protection under the law, you silenced us and erected statues to rebels who fought to keep us enslaved.

When we tried to defend ourselves through the second amendment, you enacted gun laws that you previously opposed.

When we took to the streets to show our discontent, you called us rioters and firebombed us.

When we elected one of our own to the highest office of the land, you swore vengeance, sought to discredit his citizenship, and now seek to destroy everything he did.

When we point out that you silently accept the support of Klansmen, you deflect and blame another party.

When we protested police killing us, you took the side of the police.

When we protested in the streets and we were run over, you took the side of people who ran us over.

When neo Nazis and Klansmen attacked us and preached our extinction, you defended their right of expression.

When we protested the rebel flag and rebel statues for almost a century but are ignored, you only chime in when they might actually get removed.

When we take a knee, you ignore everything that brought us to this point and condemn us. That is the definition of privilege and ignorance.

ameri…canwork

In 2015
These statements were made;
“I would take it down,yes”
“I think they should put it in a museum and respect whatever it is you have to respect”
Donald Trump

FYI
The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mom Day

Good job to all who supported the actions of alive men in NFL yesterday and today at least you can still kneel.
You did have an opportunity to rise and chose not to.

ameri…canwork

Will this Ken fellow or Ralph Northam speak out or up about the labor exploitation of illegal immigrants in Va. through Employee Misclassification and unlicensed contracting?
Just what is Ralph Northams’ policy?
To allow more to come to Va and work for no overtime , all day in the heat , the cold when it is 25 degrees and the wind blows all day. And if you don’t hurry I’ll give the job to someone else cheaper.

ameri…canwork

White privilege?
Is that when you watch a white Contractor employ illegal aliens have one fall and die and still employ across from your white representatives.?